Drainage, irrigation, and aeration device.



W2??? assess Q W. D. DOUGLAS. DRAINAGE, IRRIGATION, AND AERATION DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, 1910.

1,052,226, I Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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WILLIAM mm notion-As, or mm neron s, ni'mnnsor.

DRAINAGE, IRRIGATION, AND AERATION DEVICE l.

masses.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 29, 1310. Serial No. 599 ,945.

Q ties of the construction, nove arrangements, operation, and combination of its various parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

The primary object of my improvement-- is to provide means to facilitate drainage and irrigation of the subsoil and to insure its permanent aeration in order that atmospheric air may permeate and effect the chemical changes in the soil necessary for the growth ofplants.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be explained in the subjoined description and explanation.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention pertains, and use the same, I will now proceed to describe it, referring to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a view in perspective of a semi-tube forming the channel; and Fig. 2 is-a .view in perspective of a semi-tube forming the cover for the-channel which is also shown, thereunder, the cover being repfesented as transparent.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, this'invention consistsof a sectional condnitcomprising a channel piece and a separable cover therefor. The channel 1 has a number of ledges formed in alinement on the outside of'its walls, longitn din-ally, and above these ledges voids or openings 0 are provided for in the channel walls. The cover 1 overlaps the channel walls from which it is spaced laterally by the channel lodges, and the longitudinal edges 1 of the cover, which may be flanged outwardly so as to rest partly on thechanncl ledges, are in any case 1C-tl1ll1Q( inwardly so as to engage the edges of said ledges which slide therein. l urthermore, the cover may be partly supported on the top edges 1" of the channel and is designed to shield the openings 0 from fallbe allowed to continuously to make in'g earth. Any length or any number of lengths of 7 this conduit, which are madeeither straight dered rigid by breaking joints effected by locating the meetingends of the channel pieces underthe middle of the cover pieces.

In the. construction of the conduit described I may use any durable metal or material as iron and plain or reinforced concrete and the like, and without departing from the spirit of the invention, I may modify the form of'its' parts or vary their proportions and. strengthensame as occasion demands. struct the channel and cover of corrugated iron to combine lightness with strength, or, when greater solidity is desirable a morev durable non-pliable material, as concrete,

is used in their construction.

In laying the conduits in place in trenches Patented Feb. 4, 1913. i

or curved in any direction,- may be used'together and the whole ten-- For instance,'l[ may con-" prepared for them economy of labor is obtained, and alinement retained, by breaking joints when assembling the cover and channel pieces, as a number of connected lengths can thus at one and the same time, and less labor or care is necessary in grading the trenches. Any suitable means extant may be used to be lowered into position therein connect air and water withthe conduit un- I (lei-ground.

By reference to the drawings it will be clearly seen and readily understood that drainage of soil about the conduit will be assured as pressure will cause the water to rise under/the cover l and How into the channel through its protected openings 0 as long as water in the soil is higher than said openings, that irrigation of the soil from below is facilitated by simply stopping the lower ends of the channels and filling same with water which will seep through the openings referred to and moisten the upper soil by capillarity, and, that while the processes mentioned are not in operation, atmospheric air circulating in the conduit must permeate the soil via the aforesaid openings 0.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:.

1. A sectional conduit comprising two separable semi-tubes arranged with their concavities confronting, one of said semitubes constituting the channel having outwardly extending ledges formed in aline "turned 'ii'nvardly s9 25 to i A.

spending edges of Lil i) 011:.

ledges 01mm} in ziiinemeni'. 1

'chzi nnel imliges, siiix-stzmifally as and fur file purpose spa '2. Lin. a drainage irrigutixm aeration can duii' the 00miiiizmtion (if two sepzn-a bie :e1ni tubes siidably ilCijUHiflbiB U each mixer and anangm will. iiwir cimca one of mid semi-tubes bein shaping! to form the ciia'mei having out nil .lgitutiimiiiy on the oui'sidc, of its Wallis :mG voids therein above said badges, and the 0111 semi-i ube f n-Lining the Qizzmnsi m re inning its longituii'riai mitwardiy fining i and 1:0,-

911 qg e the name d iedges, the

confronting y extending the flannel walls iatemiiy mm min; spacei "herefrom by the aforesaiai clji'annel ledges, uiostzza1tiaiiyfls and for in 903% specified.-

S. 111 2? d e. irrigation aeration device the combmatmn 0i W0 separable semiiub'es u. "mngQd-With their concavities 201 g' .mci other, one of said semi-tubss wing; a. channel open upward and ham one: in more voids in its Walls at and about their to}; miigee', mid (the other semituiie forming a CUYGE for the channel, said wvei? bvii'igg; huge eno-i' gh lira-nan sely to overlap and o'verimmg he channels sides at a distance iiu-rreiruni lzitezrnliy,suiirsfantizilly a: and 1.01" the purpose specified. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thi )eciiicution in the presence of mm subscribing witnesses. 1

WVILLIAM DAVIS DOUGLAS.

Witnesses: 7

1110311111 T. GILES E. L. Si- ARBETTS. 

